Page 157 - Boost Your Hiring

The Surefire Way to Boost Your Score 143

• Encourage candidates by head nodding and “uh-huh” statements.
Nodding your head occasionally is a signal to the applicant that you
are listening and that he or she is on the right track.
While it is important for you to encourage candidates and reassure
them that they are doing a good job, there are also some pitfalls to be
aware of. The following story illustrates this:

Helen was the type of person who went out of her way to encourage the
candidates she interviewed to help them feel confident that they were
doing a good job.
In one particular interview she told the woman that she really enjoyed
talking with her and that she had done a great job of interviewing. The
woman told her that she also had enjoyed the interview and really looked
forward to working with her. Helen smiled and wished her good luck.
Unfortunately, the woman was not hired. When the woman received
the rejection letter from Helen telling her that the company had hired
someone who was a better fit for the position, she became very upset.
Some days later Helen was called into HR to defend herself against an
allegation that this woman was making. The woman claimed that Helen
had all but promised her the job, and she was now protesting her rejec-
tion. Helen was shocked. She had not meant to imply in any way that
the woman would be hired, but that this is what the woman interpreted
from her praise.

When interviewing a person you do not know, it is always best to be
on the conservative side with comments that might be misinterpreted.
Be sure to explain that other candidates are being interviewed and that
everyone will be rated on his or her experience and fit for the job.

This process is not about people “liking” you; it’s about your find-
ing the right person for the job.

Begin Broad and Move
to Specific
After a few minutes of small talk, it’s time to start asking candidates
questions about their experience. The best way to start this part of the